Dance Lessons

Saltador says on Jan 21, 2009, 07:32:

No vale la pena.

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Mononoke28 says on Jan 21, 2009, 11:43:

Good luck!

Diana

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Vitae says on Jan 21, 2009, 11:56:

What coincedence! I have just the teacher for you! I saw her sign at the Platypus Hotel in Bogotá where she requested someone to speak English with her in exchange for Salsa lessons. Her name is Milena Ramírez, and she is a wonderful, beautiful, tour guide and Salsera. Tell her Nick recommended her, por favor.

Cel 311 2529528
Tel 3727059
E-mail: milenaramirezvar at gmail.com

"The most wasted of all days is one in which we haven't laughed." -e.e. Cummings

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Darloup (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jan 21, 2009, 12:23:

Good on you Bunyipcatcher!

Even though I posted a thread on "How to learn to dance cumbia in 10 ten easy lessons" (http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/post/how-to-dance-cumbia-in-10-easy-l...), I still haven't followed my own tips and I'm quite impressed you're willing to face the dance floor...

Good Luck and don't forget to post a video here of your dancing the salsa!

Better to have tried and failed than having regrets all your life about what you MIGHT have missed

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chrispej says on Jan 21, 2009, 18:42:

Hey Buny, Good for you! Salsa dancing is my passion. And like you, I started out not knowing my left from my right, or as the dance instructors would joke with me, my other left. So.....

As you start, expect to feel/look stupid, dorky, etc. Dancing involves muscle memory. The more you practice, the more you shape up the muscles towards dancing. Don't get discouraged.

Check out 'Addicted to salsa videos on you tube'. Get the basics down at home.

Start out with private lessons until you build confidence and then move on to group lessons if possible.

And remember, no dancer will ever ridicule you. They will know what level your at. We all remember how hard it was to start.

Good luck and have fun!

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Darloup (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jan 21, 2009, 18:51:

chrispej says on Jan 21, 2009, 19:01:

I don't know what's going on with my photo. I cannot do anything with it? (scratching my head)

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Darloup (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jan 21, 2009, 19:09:

Send a Private Message explaining the problem to NJC here: http://poorbuthappy.com/njc/

He'll solve the problem!

Better to have tried and failed than having regrets all your life about what you MIGHT have missed

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-Salsero- says on Jan 22, 2009, 02:07:

A few advice on the road....

1, Best way to start is to go to classes (that means not private) if you are brand new to dancing. The basicssteptraining you can do in a group, just as good as private.
This will save you quite some money, and you will as a bonus meet new dance friends that you can practice together with outside of school.

2, Go to class at least 2 times a week (3 times is even better) You will not only advance faster, but much faster by training a couple of times every week. You will also remember the moves alot better if you do this compared to taking only 1 class a week.

3, Listen to the teacher and be humble - they are there to help, so this is not the time to be a big headed "I know it all" type.

4, As you continue learning (let's say you have been dancing for 6-12 month) try different teachers. They all have "their" personal type of dancing. By trying different teachers, you will learn differnt styles, and be a more complete dancer.

5, When you decide to take private lessons (would make sense after 12-18 month or more, do use a MALE teacher if you are a male, and a FEMALE teacher if you are a female. Any good skilled teacher can learn you both the male and the female parts of the dance, but you will lose alot of "character skills" that makes a man a "MAN" in the dance, if you have a female teacher. Also the other way, I would never advice a girl to take private lessons from a male teacher.

6, Last and final: THERE IS NO DANCE-POLICE ON THE DANCE FLOOR.
What this means is above all - have fun when you dance!! No matter what your teacher say in the classroom - when you are out and dancing with your friends, don't care about doing wrong or right. Who cares if you are not doing the steps 100% right, or time the music good - you are having a good time, and thats the very purpose of the dance - Having a good time.
Forget about your teacher, and just relax and enjoy the moment. Good luck , -Salsero-

If it's right, It's smooth and nice.

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Bunyipcatcher says on Jan 22, 2009, 08:19:

Thanks for all the advice and contacts. Will be checking out a few next week and see what I can arrange. Ill let you know what happens in the future and any other information that might be important to others wanting to give it a crack.

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